Not that I am in favor of government owning anything but aren't thse peoples propery rights being violated by this.

"A sage observation and one that applies well to the opposition Ken and Norma Eberts have run into in their efforts to sell their ranch for the past four years."

North Dakota property rights radicals such as the Farm Bureau have been in the thick of the fight, along with county officials and some politicians, to prevent the sale. It is ironic that those who trumpet the "property rights" mantra the loudest seem willing to violate the rights of the Ken and Norma Eberts by trying to prevent them from selling their ranch to a willing seller--

 I know the fight is with the government buying land but what about willing seller willing buyer? Isn't that partly what your fighting for. The ability to do what you want with your land?